Gaylord woman arrested in 2-vehicle collision

May 13, 2002

Michigan State Police

* A 39-year-old Gaylord woman was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol (OUIL) child endangerment Wednesday around 4:45 p.m. after a collision which caused extensive damage to her 1996 Dodge van and a 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Samantha Firman, 27, of Elmira.

According to reports, the subject was attempting to turn south onto Old 27 South from the right turn lane of North Otsego Lake Drive in Bagley Township when the accident occurred.

She allegedly tried to cut across both southbound lanes of Old 27 South to get into the center turn lane. Firman, who was southbound on Old 27, attempted to avoid colliding with the subject's vehicle by swerving to the left but the subject allegedly continued driving toward the turn lane, causing the two vehicles to crash head-on.

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Two children, ages 9 and 13, passengers in the subject's vehicle, were reportedly not injured and both were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. A young child in Firman's vehicle reportedly sustained minor injuries and was secured in a child-restraint seat, reports indicated.

Both drivers were reportedly wearing seat belts and not injured in the collision.

Otsego County Sheriff's Dept.

Ring missing from shelter

* Deputies received a complaint from a male resident of the Friendship Shelter in Bagley Township, who reported a gold engagement ring with several small diamonds had been taken from his room sometime on Tuesday.

The victim stated that all but one of his roommates had been gone during the day the ring was taken. Investigators questioned the subject identified by the victim. That individual claimed he had been in Gaylord that day looking for work.

The investigation remains open. The ring is valued at $500.

Driver loses control

of vehicle in Chester Twp.

* Authorities responded to an accident Thursday morning on Ranger Lake Road approximately a quarter-mile east of Bob Lake Trail. Benjamin Styburski, 19, of Gaylord, was reportedly traveling east on Ranger Lake Road around 7 a.m. in a 1996 Toyota, when he lost control of his vehicle.

Styburski stated he did not know what caused him to lose control of his vehicle. Reports indicate his vehicle swerved into the westbound traffic lane and then back into the eastbound lane before sliding off the road onto the east shoulder of the road.

Moderate damage was reported to the front of Styburski's vehicle. He was issued a citation for hazardous driving.

Gaylord City Police

2-vehicle crash

in Wal-Mart parking lot

* Police responded to an accident Thursday around 6:25 p.m. in the parking lot of Wal-Mart, just south of West Main Street. James Cleaver, 38, of Onaway, was driving a 1999 Dodge westbound on West Main Street and had just completed a left turn into the parking lot when his vehicle was struck on the driver's side by another vehicle.

Sandra Gallop, 36, of Gaylord, was reportedly driving west in the parking lot in a 1997 Ford and struck Cleaver's vehicle with the front of her car. Minor damage was reported to both vehicles.

Cleaver was transported to Otsego Memorial Hospital by the Otsego County EMS/Rescue and was treated and released.